26 Groups granted loans to combat HIV/AIDS

January 18, 2008 :: Michael Olugbode,Maiduguri ThisDay,Lagos

About 26 registered civil society and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Yobe state were given loans to organise HIV/AIDS enlightenment programmes in the state.

The loan facilities which ranged from N500,000 and above was given by the National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA) to the beneficiary agencies in the state.
The state Governor, Senator Mamman Ali who presented the cheques to the beneficiaries, said the state government would periodically monitor the activities of the agencies and if satisfied with the work will also assist them.

He said the fight against the scourge is one of his government's priorities, stressing that government has already awarded the construction of 3 HIV/AIDS screening centres across the state and advised members of the public against stigmatization of the victims, noting that "with anti retroviral drugs available in the state, the HIV/AIDS victims will have a better life".

The governor also presented 17 motorcycles to local government monitoring and evaluation officials for proper and effective supervision of the NGO's activities, warning that the government will not hesitate to punish anyone that do not make proper use of the assistance.